Finding The Ritual in The Routine by Courtney Stark

Do you throw spilt salt over your shoulder or knock on wood? How do you feel about black cats and broken mirrors? These superstitions are a reminder that magick is all around us. My magickal practice isn’t about complex rituals and strange looking tools (although let’s be honest, they are pretty cool). It’s about a connection to nature and finding sacredness in the everyday aspects of life. True magick lies in the power of your intent, and there are plenty of ways you can incorporate more ritual intention into your routine.

Make an altar. An altar is a designated sacred area where you place items of spiritual significance. It can be as simple or ornate as you choose. My kitchen altar contains a candle that I light as I give thanks to the ancestors who fed and nourished those before me while preparing my evening meal.

Take a shower. Visualise negativity washing off of you and down the drain, while positive white or violet light flows down upon you. This simple technique can shift your mood instantly and is easily incorporated into your daily routine.

Give thanks. Every night at dinner each person seated at our table says what they are thankful for. This simple ritual makes me appreciate the good things I have in life and helps me to seek out joy in my day.

Salute the sun. Every morning I spend time in the sun. Not only does this benefit my circadian rhythm and increase vitamin D levels, it also connects me to my environment. The sun is on a cycle, rising in the east and setting in the west. Every day we also rise and go about our day before retiring at night. The simplicity of recognising this cyclical connection reminds me that we are all in this together. The Earth, stars, moon, sun, animals, plants and humans are all connected, and I am part of that web of life.

Bare feet. Studies* have shown that connecting your bare feet with the Earth’s surface electrons (earthing) is a simple, natural way to improve health and wellbeing. Getting back to nature has never been more beneficial. This technique reminds me again of the connectedness of all things.

We are part of the cycle of nature, not apart from it. We all have routines; it’s part of human nature. Having a ritualistic intention built into those routines that connects you to your spirituality and the Earth can reprogram your subconscious mind, helping train you to see things from a different perspective. Once you start to recognise and honour that connection while implementing small moments of magick into your day, you’re well on your way to discovering the sacredness that occurs in the everyday.

*See https://downloads.hindawi.com/journals/jeph/2012/291541.pdf